Centrifugal machine



(N'o Model.)

A. A. GOUBERT.

Y GENTRIFUGAL MACHINE. No. 280,465.

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N. PETERS Pmlo-Limngramr, wam'mgmn, D. C,

Numana UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTE A.GOUBERT, OF JERSEY CITY, NEIV JERSEY.

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part ot' Letters Patent No. 280,465, ydated July 3, 1883. Application filed August 17, 1882. (,No model.) v

' To all whom, it may concern.-

' and are much appreciated in rapidly and effectively expelling the iiuid and semi-fluid material from between the crystals of sugar. The undrained sugar is deposited in a circular vessel, termed a' basket, having wire-gauze or iinely-perforated metal for the sides, and the vessel is whirled so rapidly that the centrifugal force eXpels the sirup and leaves the crystalS dry.

I have devised important improvements in the construction and operation. The considerable power required is applied onfa pulley extending down from the basket. The brake lis applied to a conical surface interposed between the belt and the basket. It is applied on a ring which is capable of turning around on the pulley, and is provided with wings which fit closely under apertures in the bottom of the basket and constitute a partiallyrotating valve which controls the discharge of the dry sugar. This valve is operated by simply giving a partial rotation to the basket wh en the brake has arrested its motion by the strong friction induced on the valve. An upright sleeve which incloses the rapidly-revolving shaft is centered by springs mounted at a distance and connected by rods, and a universal joint for such sleeve is mounted between these spring-connections and the basket. The framing supporting the machine is constructed in the shape of a cylinder, allowing the sugar to be discharged downward in the interior thereof. At the same time this framing serves as an abutment for the springs which control the position of the sleeve which incloses the shaft or spindle.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure l is a central vertical section. Fig. 2 isa section on a horizontal line just below the basket in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents the valve detached. Fig. 4c is an elevation, partly in section, at right angles to Fig. l, showing the middle portion of the apparatus.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding Aparts in all the iigures.

All the fixed framing is marked A, certain portions being designated by further marks, as A A2, when necessary. A

A is a Xed casing adapted to catch the sirup and lead4 it away through a suitable channel. (Not represented.)

lB is the basket and shaft to which it is rigidly connected, some portions being designated, when necessary, by additional marks, as B B`'.

B is a stout central boss or hub, and B2 a shaft extending down therefrom. A small concentric eXtension downward from the basket constitutes a pulley, B, to receive a rapidlyrunning belt, of proper width, leading from a steam-engine or other power. (Not represented.) This pulley B:i is hollow and allows the necessary play' of the shaft therein.

C is a ring free to revolve on the upper portion of the pulley B3, and equipped with three broad horizontal radial extensions or wings, C C/ C', which serveas valves to open and close three corresponding apertures, b b b, iu the rigid bottom of the basket. One or more stop-pins, B2 connecting this valve with the basket through properly-curved slots c, allow the proper amount of turning motion of the valve to open the passages Z) and close them, as

required.

D is the forked brake-lever. It turns on a center, d. It is adapted to arrest the rotation of the basket by friction induced through fric! tion-pieces D2, pressing against a conical surface on the under face of the valve-ring C.

A2 is a portion of the fixed frame-work partially surrounding the pulley B3, and forming a support for the center d of the lever D. It also, by the aid of extensions A, shields the belt J against any possible contact of the sugar, which is discharged downward from the basket, as will be described farther on.

G is a sleeve, of cast-iron or other suitable material, inclosing the shaft B2. It has a long babbitted bearing, G2, near its upper end. An

exterior shell, G, surrounding the sleeve G,

IOO

sponding spherical seat in the interior of the fixed framing A. This bearing allows the sleeve, and consequently the inclosed shaft and its connections, to rock or oscillate on the sphere or partial sphere G as a center.

The basket B, wit-h its load of sugar, is rarely, if ever, exactly centered. The center of gravity, which is a little out of line of the center of the shaft B2, tends to remain stationary and to cause the axis of the shaft to describe a small circle. It tends to revolve around the center of gravity ofthe basket and its load. The sugar is deposited carelessly. If the centei` of gravity of the mass is one-eighth (l) inch from the axis of the shaft B2, the latter will, when the basket is revolved at the high velocity required, tend to describe a circle of one-eighth (t) inch radius.

The spherical bearing G, at the same level as the firm bearing G2 for the inclosed shaft, holds the latter rigidly to its place at that point; but its spherical form allows the upper end carrying the basket B to gyrate, inducing` a counterpart of the same gyration in that portion of the shaft B2, and consequently of the inclosing -sleevc G, which is below the spherical bearing. I allow such motion; but by confining the lower end, through the aid of springs, I control the extent of the oscillating motion of the sleeve, and consequently the extent of the gyrations of the basket. I restrain the motion of the lower end by tierods extending radially outward, and strained by springs of rubber or other suitable material mounted in positions convenient of access at or near the exterior of the frame-work. The rods are marked H and the springs I. The inner ends of the rods engage with eyes G, cast or otherwise firmly fixed on the sleeve. The outer ends extend through the cylindrical part Ai* of the frame-work, which latter supports the lower cylindrical portion, A", ofthe stationary part A. The outer ends of the rods H are threaded, and carry nuts H and jamnuts H, which press on the springs through the intervention of plates I. This allows the tension of the springs to be adjusted so that the lower end of the sleeve G, and consequently the inclosed shaft B, and the basket, with its contents, may be restrained in their gyratory motion to such extent as is found most expe Sugar distributes itself in a basket under the violent centrifugal force to which it is subjected, so that the distance of the center of gravity from the axis ofthe shaft B2 is slight. It is important to be able to graduate the force ofthe springs to allow the gyratory motion to be performed withj ust sufficient restraint. The

sugar is introduced through the top of the basket in the ordinary way. The motion communicated by the belt J on the pulley B3 whirls the sugar until it is spread forcibly within the bas ket and drained, the entire revolving parts (as also the sleeve G, which supports the same) rocking or oscillating on the center (marked if) ofthe spherical bearing G', and inducing a coun terpart of the gyration at the lower end of the sleeve G, which is allowed, and also restrained by the springs I, connected by the rods H, adjusted by the nuts H', and secured by the jamnuts H2. Vhen the sugar is sufficiently drained, the attendant stops the transmission of power through the belt J by shifting it onto a loose pulley on the driving-shaft, not representeth) or by any other suitable means, and applies friction through the lever D, turning it on the center d, and lifting on the ring D, carrying the wooden blocks D2, which induce the required strong friction against thc conical under surface of the valvcring C. The ring D is provided with two trunnions, l,which stand in vertical slots in the framing A2, and, extending out through the same, are engaged by thel forked brake-lever D. The ring C is capable of performing a partial revolution relatively to the basket, being limited in its motion by the pins B, fitted in the slots c. The friction induced by the brake-blocks D2 holds this par tially-revolving ring C firmly at that extremity of its motion which presents its wings C under the holes I. This is the position which they ordinarily hold when the machine is in use. So soon as the motion is completely arrested the attendant, leaving the brake-lever on, applies the force of his hands directly or indirectlyto the basket and gives it a partial rotation backward, or in the direction opposite to that .in which it has been revolved. This, by the partial rotation ofthe basket relatively to the valve, opens all the apertures b. The sugar lying against the interior of the basket is now loosened in the ordinary manner, and is rapidly discharged through the openings b, falling without appreciable obstruction within the parts A* A5 of the framing, past the rods H, near the bottom, and also past the belt J, near the top, the belt being shielded by being extended through narrow covered passages A, which may be produced by extending the central casting, A?, outward in the proper form, or may be made by sheet-metal attachments held in place by any suitable means. So soon as the sugar is discharged a partial rcvolution of the basket B forward closes the apertures b by the wings C, when the brake-lever D may be tilted to liberate the valve, another charge of undrained sugar introduced, and the belt J allowed to again rapidly whirl the basket and its contents. The considerable chamber r/ within the spheroidal bearing G, and the extension of the sleeve upward therefrom and exterior to the babbitted bearing G2, serves as a capacious oil-cup. One or more openings therefrom through the babbitted bearing GZ allow the oil free access to one or more vertical grooves on the interior of the bearing, and thus completely ll the limited space within the sleeve G with oil. The shaft B2 revolves in a bath of oil. nary provisions (not represented) allow the oil to be drawn out at intervals and fresh su pplied. I prefer filling the chamber f/ loosely IOO IIO

with cotton waste or analogous material. The step at the lower end of the shaft is formed so as to afford afirm bearing laterally, not against A any iixed object, but againstthe interior of the lbeing similarly increased in diameter.

sleeve G, which is allowed to yield. The endwise thrust, due to the weight of the revolving parts, is receivedona series of loose disks, E, adjusted vertically-by a s'crew,'G*.' Y

Modifications may /be made in the forms and proportions of the details without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. Parts of the invention may be used without the whole. The spheroidal bearing may be increased in diameter. rIhe bearing -zo'ne may be widened. There may be a greater or lessnumber of the apertures b and lwings C of the valve to close them. The valve-apertures b may extend out farther, the wings C being correspondingly extended, and the exterior curbing or framing, A4, below The rim or periphery of the basket may project downward a little. y I

I do not claim applying-the brake by a mere contact of the basket with a fixed ring, as by lowering the basket on a ixed brake-surface.

I claim asmy invention l. In a centrifugal machine, the hollow pulley B, fixed directly to the basket, and arranged to serve as and for the purposes herein specified.

2. In a centrifugal machine, the brake-level; D and brake-ring D D2, raised and lowered vunder the basket, in combination with a coni cal bearing-surface revolved with the latter, as herein specified.

3. In a centrifugal. machine, the sleeve G,

embracing the shaft or spindle B2, and provided with the spherical bearing G', carrying the weightV of the revolving parts, vin combination with the yieldingA or elastic bearing G G4, arranged at or near the lower end of the sleeve, and adapted to serve substantially as herein specified. Y

4. In a centrifugal machine, the springs I, rods H, sleevevG, spherical bearing G, shaft B2, and basket B, combined and arranged relatively to each other and to the frame A2 and casing A AL A", so as to allow the bottom of the spindle to oscillate to a limited extent, substantially as herein speciiied.

5. In a centrifugal machine, the having a capacious chamber, g, at the top, with one or more communicating passages, g, and with provisions for gyrating by the yielding` springs I, so as to "support the shaft B2 in a'bath of lubricating material, as herein specied.

6. In a centrifugal machine, the framing A* A5, arranged to perform the several functions of supporting the revolving parts, affording an inclosed passage-way for the sugar, and forming a fixed abutment for the springs I, in combination with said springs, and with connections therefrom to a movable bearing for the shaft B2, all substantially as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, .this-9th day of August, 1882, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUSTE A. GOUBERT.

Vitnesses:

O. H. KRAUsE, ARTHUR KRAUsr..

sleeve G, 

